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Although yen suggests no more than a strong desire these days (as in “a yen for a beach vacation”), at one time someone with a yen was in deep trouble: the first meaning of yen, used in the late 19th century, was an intense craving for opium. The word comes from yīn-yáhn, a combination of yīn, meaning “opium,” and yáhn, “craving,” in the Chinese language used in the province of Guangdong. In English, the Chinese syllables were translated as yen-yen, and eventually shortened to yen.
Synonyms of yen
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Noun (2)
Verb
Examples of yen in a Sentence
Noun (2)
I have a strange yen to take the day off from work
Verb
A car lover who predictably yens for the latest and greatest new models.
Recent Examples on the Web
Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
Sessions are 20,000 yen in person or 4,250 yen online.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
Mount Fuji, in Japan, is limiting climbers on the Yoshida Trail to 4,000 per day and has increased the charge by 4,000 yen, from 1,000 yen.
—Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
In North America, Asics reported net sales grew 23 percent to 48.2 billion yen (about $305.2 million) in the period, up from 39.1 billion yen (about $248.0 million) the same time the prior year due to the strong sales in all categories.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for yen
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Noun
Priced at 20,000 yen per person in person, or 4,250 yen for an online session.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 29 May 2026
Sessions are 20,000 yen in person or 4,250 yen online.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026
Mount Fuji, in Japan, is limiting climbers on the Yoshida Trail to 4,000 per day and has increased the charge by 4,000 yen, from 1,000 yen.
—Alex Ledsom, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026
In North America, Asics reported net sales grew 23 percent to 48.2 billion yen (about $305.2 million) in the period, up from 39.1 billion yen (about $248.0 million) the same time the prior year due to the strong sales in all categories.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 20 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for yen
Cite this Entry
“Yen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yen. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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